Conceding a late equaliser to reluctant substitute Darren Bent wasn’t the ideal outcome after Albion’s very own No.9 had given the visitors the lead.

But the bigger picture must be looked at.

For Shane Long there was an essence of closure.

The last time he left Villa Park he did so with a limp and a doctor’s note for six weeks of leave following a awful, wanton challenge by Alan Hutton.

Yesterday, only one of the two protagonists started this particular Premier League fixture, which, perhaps tells you all you need to know about Hutton’s progress since compared to the Baggies.

One mustn’t quibble with the nature of the outcome, despite Villa’s late equaliser.

By six o’clock this was a patched-up Albion XI. Chris Brunt was the first to succumb to injury.

His hamstring failed on 40 minutes. The winger jumped, landed and immediately reached for the back of his leg. We have to assume it’ll keep the captain sidelined for a while.

Billy Jones’ setback was less clear. The right-back grabbed his knee after passing the ball to a team-mate.

And by the time Albion reached the final whistle they were nursing a hobbling Gareth McAuley – the defender hurting himself following a challenge on Gabriel Tamas.

Throw in Steven Reid, Liam Ridgewell, Gonzalo Jara Reyes and Boaz Myhill and you can see why Albion’s medical staff will be cancelling all leave this week.

On the pitch Albion produced an accomplished performance.

It oozed character and energy. It certainly wasn’t obvious to the untrained eye that Steve Clarke had been forced to bring on two substitutes during the first-half.

Goran Popov, making his debut was resourceful and wasn’t shy in the tackle. Any potential rustiness wasn’t detected. His defensive performance was strong and he was certainly willing to surge forward.

Villa’s midfield ‘diamond’ effectively gave him licence to do that. He was inventive.

And he could have got a penalty for his troubles.

His 11th minute cross struck the arm of Marc Albrighton. A penalty would have been harsh given the proximity of the Villa man to the Albion left-back. Luckily for Villa, referee Anthony Taylor wasn’t well placed – some officials might have blown.

Albion were being encouraged to attack down the flanks. Long had an excellent chance to convert a first-half chance only to send his header the wrong side of the post. When the Baggies striker did finally net it came in the 50th minute. The joy was short-lived. Up went the linesman’s flag.

Correct decision.

As was the official’s call one minute later. Zoltan Gera’s pass to Morrison was well-weighted and the No.7’s run was brilliantly-timed. It was the one moment of legerdemain Albion needed. Morrison darted from a central position, drew a defender away allowing Long to chase down the middle to collect the return. The flag stayed down and Morrison’s low ball was too clean for Vlaar. The Villa defender swung at the ball but Long was waiting.

Long’s input was valued elsewhere. While Albion’s triumvirate of Morrison, Gera and Graham Dorrans zipped passes between them in midfield, Long’s movement and energy created gaps. Vlaar and Ciaran Clark found themselves leaving holes and gaps. Long squeezed in between them enough times.

By the time he was substituted, Long was running on no more than fumes. Substitute Romelu Lukaku offered the alternative and tormented Villa’s weary back-line but momentum was swinging the other way.

The ball was no longer sticking – Lukaku’s strengths are different to Long’s – and Villa were powering forward. That said, Lukaku had chances to win it late on. The post ruined any potential glory.

Bent’s equaliser was of no surprise in many respects. Villa crept closer, Albion were retreating.

A win would have put Albion third, but they mustn’t be down-beat about what can be deemed as a very good and useful point.

There were strong performances throughout. Jonas Olsson swept away all that was thrown at him, Gareth McAuley – battered and bruised late on – battled away with a limp. And Claudio Yacob again directed his area in front of the back four, alongside the lively Youssouf Mulumbu.

Behind the pack, Ben Foster was back to his best following that unusual outing against Liverpool.

In front of the back men, Graham Dorrans produced his best performance of the season. Powering from midfield, the Scotland international complemented Gera and Morrison effectively. Villa struggled against his movement. Gera was willing and energetic. He would be the first to admit it wasn’t his best game, but his effort was noted.

And a final word for Gabriel Tamas. Brought on as a substitute the Romanian underlined that he can be relied on. Resilient and sensible, he also showed some attacking intent – going close to a bizarre goal in the second half when his right-wing cross swung towards Guzan’s left-hand corner.

Call it cynical, but his injury time challenge on Charles N’Zogbia deep into injury time might have ensured Albion’s point. Given the circumstances, Albion did well overall.